Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey 2x01

ITV's breakout hit Downton Abbey returns to PBS tonight with the first episode of the second season:

Fall 1916 — Spring 1917

In the throes of the Great War, uncertainty and worry have taken up residence in the great house of Downton Abbey. Some newcomers arrive, met with varying degrees of welcome; some young men are absent, desperately clinging to survival in the trenches of France; and some men remain at Downton, their discontent festering.

Robert, ever the honorable patriarch, struggles with the uneasiness of a diminished house and the suspicion that the uniform he wears is empty. The Crawley women, too, attempt to find their place in the new climate, as Isobel helps chart a new course for one sister and Branson exerts his influence over yet another. Among the servants, love is in the air — O'Brien being, as always, the exception — until Bates makes a decision that crushes the hearts of the two people who love him most.

News about Matthew stuns the house, and Mary has a revelation of her own. Downton Abbey itself is to be made useful, transformed into a convalescent home for wounded officers. In wartime, not even the seemingly immutable Dowager Countess, Violet, remains entirely unchanged!

Click to expand...

The first season was delightful, if somewhat cheesy, fun -- and it also boasted a very attractive cast, including Michelle Dockery.

Will Bates and Anna get together? Will Miss O'Brien's evilness be revealed? Will Carson lose a little more of his sanity in trying to wrangle the serving staff? Will the Dowager Countess sniff derisively at Cousin Isobel? Will Lady Edith ever find love? Will Lady Sybil become a bomb-throwing anarchist? Will cousins Matthew and Mary admit their feelings for one another? Will Matthew survive the carnage of the Western Front? Most importantly, will there be endless discussions about the entail and the inheritance problems?

I thought the first two episodes of S2 were just as good as S1. I like the politicing, I like the tension, and I still want to nail Michelle Dockery. And the best part is, my wife is more than willing to join me. ;-)

I've been watching this with my parents on Sunday nights. It has been airing here in Canada on Knowledge Network. I quite enjoy it. One of the few shows that I have actually watched with my parents that we all mutually enjoy.

I've been watching this new season and I am enjoying it very much. Maybe a tad less of what I saw of Season One, but still good.

I hope Matthew and Mary are able to get together, but its not looking too good for them right now. I keep thinking something will happen with Matthew's fiance and they will break up...giving Mary another chance to speak up about her feelings.

Glad the situation with Bates and Anna are working out a bit. His conniving wife needs a good boot.

Love this show! I was in tears for the last twenty minutes of tonight's episode. I couldn't stand to see the looks on the faces of the staff...

Did anyone catch the preview for next week? Who could that burned soldier be that Lord Grantham can't seem to recognize? I can't recognize him either!

I really can't stand Bates' wife; I know she's got something devious planned for him...and that silly O'Brien writing her a letter to find Bates! At least O'Brien sees she made a mistake doing that. Can't wait for next the episode.

I read that PBS cut scenes for the American viewing. I went on to Amazon and purchased both sets, uncut UK version.

William's death was so sad. However, I figured it would happen. As soon I knew he was going off to war with Matthew I figured he was a Red Shirt.

I did not see them killing Matthew as the family having to adjust to the new heir was a large part of season 1. (They had already killed the heir Patrick and I did not think they would go there again.) However, I did not see them giving him a spinal injury either.

That was a great way to get rid of Lavina and give Mary an opening. But, now she is indebted to Sir Newspaper, and I don't see him giving her up.

Edith is growing on me. I love that she volunteered to take care of William.

The Dowager Countess is my favorite. I love how she made the Vicar marry Daisy and William. The old gal knows how to get things done. Her talking on the telephone was a hoot.